Method of producing hard, homogeneous fuel or similar objects from peat, peat moss, lignite, and the like



Jan. 17, 1928. 5 6,59

B. JIROTKA METHOD OF PRODUCING HARD, HOMOGENEOUS FUEL OR SIMILAR OBJECTS FROM FEAT, FEAT MOSS, LIGNITE, AND THE LIKE Filed May 29, 1926 I5 Sheets-Sheet l l5 I4 I I0 9 E mnnnnnng 0 1g =4 'II III:

Jan. 17, 1928. 6,859

B. JIROTKA METHOD OF PRODUCING HARD, HOMOGENEOUS FUEL OR SIMILAR OBJECTS FROM FEAT, FEAT MOSS, LIGNITE, AND THE LIKE Filed May 29, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jan.-17-, 192s. 1,656,859 B. JIROTKA METHOD OF PRODUCING HARD, HOMOGENEOUS FUEL OR SIMILAR OBJECTS FROM FEAT, FEAT MOSS, LIGNITE, AND THE LIKE Filed May 29, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ab)? %y #2795 Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

BOHUMIL JIROTKA, BERLIN, GER-MANY. ASSIGNOB TO THE FIR-M DR. OTTO SPRENGER PATENTVERWERTUNG J'IROTKA MIT BESCHRKNKTER HAFTUNG, OE

VADUZ, LICHTENSTE-IN.

- METHOD OF PRODUCING HARD, HOMOGENEOUSFUEL OR SIMILAR OBJECTS FROM PEA'I', FEAT MOSS, LIGNITE, AND THE LIKE. V p

: Application fied May 29, 1926, Serial No.

The process, which forms the object of the present invention is characterized essentially in that damp. bituminous material such as peat, peat moss and also lignite, is firstcompressed in a worm-iced press or other press ingdevice and is then treated in a pulverizing or triturating apparatus, for example, by means of grinding or rubbing implemer ts, and is finally shaped.

ln the drawings several constructional examples of the devices used in carrying out the new process are represented, in which Fig. 1. is a worm-feed press with grinding device attached, shown in longitudinal section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 2. a somewhat modified construction of Fig. 1.

Figs. 35. show various constructional forms of the grinding device.

Figs. 68. three other constructional forms of the device according to Fig. 1..

Figs. 9-14. various constructional forms of the grinding: device.

Fig. 15 a wornr'feed press with triturating device together with a device for shaping the material and sprinkling it with powder, in longitudinal section and partly in elevation.

Fig. 16. is a plan view corresponding to Fig. 15, and looking downwards.

Figs. 17-19. three different constructions of grating on a larger scale.

Fig. 20. a modified constructional form of the device shown in Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. 21. a detail of Fig.20 on a larger scale seen in perspective.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 is a hopper by means of which the material is fed to the worm 2. material is "fed to grinding device, and is fed or pressed into the space 3 between the gridin r members 4 and 5 of the'grinding device. As the grinding member 5 rotates the material collected in the space 3 is pushed continually outwards through centrifugal force, so that it undergoes a very fine trituration. 6, 7 and 8 are supports, 9 an adjust inoyscrew for the shaft 10. that is. fox the grinding or rubbing; members 4 and 5. 11 and 12 are fast-and-loose pulleys for drivinn; the worm. 13 and 14-. is the drive for the rotatable grinding member 5.

In Fig. 2. the drive 18, 14 for the rotatable By the rotation of the latter the 112,586, and in Germany August 13, 1921.

grinding-member 5 is located behind the worm 2.

-The grinding members i and 5 consist preferably of coarse'emery, steel brushes 16, (Figs. 1 and 2) or oi? blades or segments 15 Figs. 3 and l). The blades or segments 15 are so arranged, that as a result of the centrifugal force developed by rotation, they run very close to the grinding member 4, whereby they break up or crush the material fed between the stones 4; and 5.

. Fig. 4 shows a grinding device located in front of the delivery nozzle 21 of a press. Upon the nozzle 21 a disc 22 consisting oi coarse emery or metal is so arranged that the segments 15 rotating ronnd the axle 23 screws 19. Such grinding members have the advantage that they keep themselves sharp by use, since they consist. of thin material, preferably sheet steel. The fixeddisc of the grinder is marked in F 5. U

Fig. 6 shows a cylindrical grinding member 25 in front of the delivery nozzle 26 of.

a worm-feed press 2. This grinding member 25 may be of hard, that is to say, sharpening material, for instance, of emery,'oi suitable stone or even of steel brushes, The press 2 feeds the material in the direction of the arrow 36 against the circumference of the cylinder 25. by which since it rotates at high speed, the material is carried along and flung out in the direction of the arrow 27.

The abutment 28 of stone or metal is suitably.

adjustable.

Fig. 7 shows also the use of'a cylindrical grinding member 29. This latter is so built into the restricted portion 30 of the delivery channel 36 of a press that it forces and breaks up the material against the grinding cheek 31. The grinding cheek 31 is pivotally mounted at 32 and rendered yielding by means of a weight 33 or a spring. If e1:- traneous bodies. which the roller cannot crush are introduced. this check 31 yields by the Weight33 being raised,.and. the ex traneous body is flung out.

In Fig. 8 a device, similar to that in Fig..

7,;is shown, only here the under cheek also, consists-oi a-cylinder 2! which rotates more slowly than the other cylinder 29, so that between the tWo cylinders, on account of their different peripheral speeds, a rubbing,

that is to say, a grindmg process takes place.

into the space between the two surfaces 37--38-and there drawn by the Wire brushes 35 over thefiX-ed surface 38 until it is flung out at the periphery of the disc. During this long grinding process the colloids are dispersed on account of the pressure, the heat and the continual workingof the mass by the-\vire brushes 35, so that the mass on delivery very quickly yields up the Water contained therein and drieshard.

Fig; 1 0 is similar to Fig; 9, except that theconicallstone- 34 of Fig: 9 is replaced by a lenticular' disc 39, upon the rim of which a perforated frame v4:1 of thin sheet-metal or cloth: or the like is located. Theplastic mass slips on the conical surface towards the rim and the water, which; can pass easily through the perforated sieve or the cloth, is

hung out by centrifugal force in the directicn of the arrows at right-angles to the shaft 10; In this. way the mass leaves the machine, for the most part, free of Water.

In Fig. 11. this surrounding frame 41. has a different formto that. in Fig. 10. The Water passes out in the direction of the arrows: 454, and the mass carried along by the supports 43, leaves the devicein the direction of the arrows 42.

The rinding members can rotate either vertical or horizontally and the shape or the per 'oraled surfaces 41 can be as desired, for example, round, angular, cylin-' drical, funnelsshaped, or vat-shaped etc.

Figs.l2, 13 and 14 show, by Way of exam ple, several constructional forms of the grinding discs. In Fig. 12. the Wire brushes consist of flat steel strips 45, bent in the shape or a U. 46 and 4;? are lenticular-sheetmetal discs adjusted to the curve of the grindstone, provided with perforations, for example, quadrangular holes, and held toether-by bolts 48. The flat brushes 4:5 bent 1n theshape of a U, are so provic ed that according to the nature of their employment they can be used either flat or on edge.

They can, however, also be auranged alternately fiat or" edge upcas in Fig. 12.

Figs. 13 and 14 show a grinding disc 52 withsegmentdilre brushes 419. TllllStEllJIll-EillGS may be of wood, metal brother suitable marial fed inVare marked 53. The direction of rotationoit' the disc is shown by the arrow 54*. (Fig.13).

In addition to peat and peat-moss, lignite,

which usually eontainsa considerable quan- H tity of water, may be made to aive up its Water more quickly than would otherwise be the case, bymeans of the fine grinding, rub-.

hing and heating and the continual Working which takes place in the grinding members as provided by the present invention. For the acceleration of the final process, that is, the drying, steam or hot air can be introduced between the grinding members, or the latter can be heated electrically or with gas, steam etc. Instead of collecting the timely divided mass immediately on delivery from themachine, it can be scattered over large surfaces by means of thecentrizlugal torce developed. Thereby the drying process accelerated and inthis manner either line or raw material are (jibtained. Ii the line article (granulated or pea coal.) is to be obtained the material must be more quickly raked together, it aw material is desired, the layers are allowed to get thicker.

The grinding devices here described can be applied to the present worm-feed presses or to the present rough-grinding-nmchines, or they may be located at some distance from them, so that the rough grimling takes place in the present old machines and the material so prepared is fed, in cake or strip, by means of conveyor belts to the nii'ticular grinding or like devices.

Before or after grinding chemicals may be added to the raw material, which will hasten the destructioii ol. the colloids pres ent. l

The grinding members are so arranged that the raw material. although it 1mm pass through very small spaces, cannot block up the machine: with the an grinding members the material. is thrown out by con.- trifugal force. with the cylindricat grinders by't-he progressive rotation of the cylinder or cylinders.

The product, whichis obtained by means of the present invention, dries very qnicli'lv and gives a fuel. \vhi ch is freer of Water. greater heat value, firmer and more enliven ill) IUU

ient in use. than was h-itliereto obtainable b.

mechanical treatment oil. peat and similar bituminous substances. As initial material the peat, or peaty bodies, found in'the lower strata, that is the so-called deep peat, is par ticularly suitable. i

According to the constructional form shown in Figs. 15 and 1.6, instead ot' the grinding members of Figs. 1 14s, gratings or sieve-like inemb'ersare used, through the narrow slits or openings of which the peat, or like material, forced. 16,55 is the hopper for feeding the pieces of peat, under whichtwo crushing rollers 56, provided with projections, are arranged, between which the pieces of peat are passed and thereby reduced in size. feed and 58 is the delivery nozzle, through which the peat mass is pressed out in cylindrical form. Before the entrance to and exit from the cylinder containing the worm, gratings 59, 60 with narrow slots are arranged, through which the peat mass is pressed. The barsoi' the grating, which are arranged at the entrance to thecylinder transversely to the spindle of the crushing rollers 56, are provided, as shown in Figs. 17 and 18, with sharp edges to the slots, so that the peat mass and the fibres contained therein are chopped up during the passage through the slots of the grating and an efii cient grinding of the mass is obtained. The bars of the grating may consist, as shown in Fig. 117, of upright iron strips or iron sheets 61. which are provided atone end with strengthening members 62, which may be made of narrower sheets or strips attached thereto. In Fig. 18, these grating-barsconsist of triangular or prismatic members 63. Because of their acute angles, the gratingbars can be easily sharpened. The gratings 59, 60 can be arranged in the machine, either permanently fixed or removable; they may also, as shown in Fig. 19, be formed in two parts, of which the one carrying the bars 646 is fixed, and the other is removable. In this manner it is possible, should obstruction occur, to enlarge the slots of the grating by drawing out the part 65. The slots of the second grating 60 located beyond the worm 57 can be narrower than those of the grating 59. The grating 59 can, under certain circumstances, be omitted.

In front of the delivery end of the nozzle 58 oi? the press, one or more worms 66 are arrz-inged at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the worm 57. The worms 66 cut the cylindrically-shaped material delivered from the nozzle 58 into separate pieces, and form these pieces during their further movement into spherical bodies, so that the usual round pieces of peat are obtained. Throughthe rectangular disposition of the shaping worm 66with relation to the feed. worm 57 not only is a simpler and easier cutting up of the cylinder of peat efiected, but thereby the spherical pieces of peat are removed side- In Figs. 15 and 57 is theworm ways from the delivery path of the machine. Further this rectangular arrangement allows of building the machine double-sided, so that the round briquettes of peat or the like, can

contained in the container 68 is scattered, through the perforated bottom 67 over the pieces of peat, which have been cut up, and over the shaping worm 66, whereby the pieces are more easily shaped and do not cling or stick together. Instead of the worm 66 other press members, for example, pistons, may be used. i I

In the constructural form according to Fig. 20 of the drawings, below the hopper 55 a heating or breaking-up mill 69 is arranged, which can be provided with several arms for beating mounted upon a common spindle,

and the bottom 70 of which is constructed as a grating. The separate bars of this grating are formed similarly to those in Figs. 17 and 18 (Fig. 21) and are arranged transversely with relation to the spindle of the mill 69.

Above the mill another grating 59 and crush ing rollers 56, as in Fig; 15, can be arranged, whilst below themill 69 a feed-worm 57 with nozzle 58 and shaping worm 66 arranged at rightangles thereto, together with a clustcontainer 67, 68, are provided. Between the worm 57 and the nozzle 58 a grating 60, as

in Fig. 15 and 16, is again located.

W'ater or chemicals can be added to the mass to be treated either when being intro-- duced into the hopper or previously. The pieces cut off from the cylindrical mass of peat issuing from the nozzle 58 and formed by the worm 66 into spherical bodies, are dried and, it it be peat, used as coal or fuel.

By means of the process here described, it is possible to make hard, compact fuel out of peat or peat compositions. This is secured in that the raw peat mass first through mechanical treatment in the manner described above, and then by the addition of chemicals or bind ing means, is converted into a thick, fluid and viscous state and isthen spread out in thin layers, By means ol the mechanical treatment a very'close structure is obtained and by means ofthe distribution in layers a very quick drying is efiected through the evapo'ra' of the surface is obtained preferably by a treatment with water-glass. Several layers can be dried one above the other, a damp layer is placed upon the under layer which is already dry. After the thin layer of peat has dried: and. hardened, it can be broken off with a suitable tooland loaded as fuel ready for use. l

Another constructional form of thisprocess consists in that the mass first mechanically and their chemically treated is forced through suitable shaped pipes, preferably through pipeswhich are attached to the press itself. By the use of bent pipes attached to a ribbon press, the mass will issuecontinuallyin a kindof shaving: or spiral form and will heap itself up on the ground in a cone. The advantage of such a spiral structure is great for the drying period, for since the mass falls away from the press in thin ribbons-or loose coils, the air and warmth, which effect the dryin can penetrate everywhere and accelerate the latter.

Lastlynobjects of a desired kind can be prepared from peat, peatmoss and the like used as a wood substitutabythe process here described. The process is effected by grindin; raw peat, peat-moss or the like. particularly the peaty masses found in the upper strata,that is the so-ealled high peat-moss, between grindstones or' other similar grinding-memlgiers, then if necessary, drying and kneading it togetherwith binding substances or filling inaterialand then shaping it. By means of the grinding of the peat or like mass, which is preferably effectedin a damp condition oreven with the addition of water, a considerably finer, more homogeneous and consistentmass is obtained than is usually the casewith pulverization or grinding; of such materials, and the mass on account'of the water contained therein is plastic, and is suitable for the making of objects of every kind. such as picture frames, panelling, and lamp brackets etc. i For dr ing, the peat or like mass can be left to itseli in permeable containers until it is quite dry. For carving processes the ground peat mass is preferably shaped into blocks, which after drying may be cut up and carved. Also for panelling and the like blocks may be made which after drying are sawn up into planks and boards. For, moulding, the mass is taken fromthccontainers serving for theldrying before it has not. hard, that is to say, while it is still plastic, is moulded; and then dried further. For moulding, purposes, the mass is well kneaded, during which process binding or filling substances. for example, a distillate. of peat, can be added as desired. Instead of or in addition to the binding substance, sulphuric acid, nitric acid and other solvents of colloidal and bituminuous substances, and substances which drive away water, may be added. It is alsopossible to add to the mass woodsubstances and dyes. To facilitate and: cheapen the transport of the raw material, the latter may be dried in a desired manner and loaded at the peat-field, and then at the works be ground and worked intoa plastic mass with the addition of sulphuric acid, nitric acid, caustic soda, solvents of bitumen and the like, and further shaped, that is pressed with the addition of filling and binding substances, into objects of every kind.

As .'a\v material peat fragments which have been broken up by frost, heat, and the like, may beused. If no or but very used, the pressing" is preferably effected in two processes; first the plastic mass is pressed in a larger mould, and is then taken out and dried slightly, whereupon the object after partial drying and shrinking is pressed again inthe final mould, which is smaller on account of the shrinkage; by these means a very smooth surface and a good cast are obtaincd. .For the preparation of brown card-board or paper the ground peat is much diluted, with or without the addition of the abovementioned chemicals, and then Worked up into cardboard or paper in the usual cardboard or paper machines... i

. I claim: i A

A method for produeinghard homo. geneous fuel or similar objects from peat, peat-moss, lignite or the like, comprising subjecting the mass to a continuous feeding process combined with a dividing up process destroying the fibers,the mass subsequently undergoing a rubbing process engendering heat, whereby the mass becomes finely shredded so that the colloids are destroyed, then I'GlIlOVllll' the moisture of said mass and forming the latter.

Q. A method for producing hard homogeneous fuel or similar objects from peat, peat-moss, lignite and the like, comprising subjecting the mass to acontinuous feeding process combined with a dividing-up process destroying the fibers, the mass subse quently undergoing a rubbing process engendering heat, whereby the mass becomes finely shredded so that the colloids are destroyed passing the massthrough the rubhing device by means of centrifugal force, and then centrifuging the mass to remove moisture.

3. A method for produciiu hard homogcm:- ous fuel or similar ol j ts from peat, peat moss, lignite and the like, comprising subjectingthe mass to a continuous feeding process combined with a dividing up prdcess destroying the libers, the mass sulrisequently undergoing a rubbing process, engenderin g heat, whereby the mass becomes finely shredded so that the colloids are destroyed, then removing the moisture of said mass, forming the latter into pieces of the desired form and little filling substanceis Ill) size, and sprinkling it with peat dust during the forming operation. a

4. A method for producing hard homogeneous fuel or similar objects frompeat, peat-moss, lignite and the like,co-mprising subjecting the mass to a continuous feeding process combined With a dividing-up process destroying the fibers, the mass subsequently undergoing a rubbing process engendering heat, whereby the mass becomes finely shredded so that the colloids are destroyed, then forming the mass into pieces of the desired form and size, and spreading the formed pieces in thin layers upon the cleared surface of the peat field in order to dry the product. p

5. A; method for producing hard homogeneous fuel or similar objects from peat, peat-moss, lignite and the like, comprising subjecting the mass to a continuous feeding process combined With a dividing up process destroying the fibers, the mass subsequently undergoing a rubbing process, engendering heat, whereby the mass becomes finely shredded so that the colloids are destroyed, then subdividing the mass finely in the form of thin shavings or leaves as a loose coil in order to dry the product.

6. A method for producing hard homogeneous fuel or similar objects from peat, peat-moss, lignite and the like, comprising subjecting the mass to a continuous feeding process combined with a dividing up process destroying the fibers, the mass subsequently undergoing a rubbing process engendering heat, WllGlQl'Jy the mass becomes stroyed, then adding filling and binding agents to the mass, forming the same into BOHUMIL J IROTKA.

finely shredded so that the colloids are de- 

